How I Conquered Your Planet

I picked up this book because it received praise from Mindy Kaling on her blog. She writes and acts on the American version of The Office, and like most comedy writers, she reveres The Simpsons. And who has written, by far, the greatest number of Simpsons episodes? One John Swartzwelder, who now writes and self-published hysterical books like this one, How I Conquered Your Planet.

The hero (?) of this little book is a numbskull P.I. named Frank Burly who gets involved in not one but TWO interplanetary wars, never quite having the wits to know what he's doing or why. He's basically Homer Simpson without the "D'oh!" and the family. And it's no exaggeration to say that I laughed at least once every minute while reading this book. It's show more nothing but high silliness, and I like nothing better than that. Thanks, Mindy. (And call me! I'm still single!) show less

John Swartzwelder's writing may be for the discerning palate but luckily I appear to be discerning enough to enjoy "How I Conquered Your Planet".

Part of a series of novels on Frank Burly, a particular stupid private detective, "How I Conquered Your Planet" has Burly recruited by Martians to invade Earth, while an odd little chap seems to be doing something in the shadows. If you like Swartzwelder's sense of humour, you'll be laughing regularly. If not, you may be left scratching your head as the story goes over the top.